World Bank Group

10/20/2026

What is the promise of artificial intelligence? AI offers developing economies a rare path to greater prosperity — and a chance to ensure the gains reach everyone. Earlier technological revolutions left much of the developing world behind. This one doesn't have to.

👉 Find out what it will take to realize the promise of AI in the World Development Report 2026: https://bit.ly/47vBBut

10/20/2026

Artificial intelligence is often described as one of the most significant technological breakthroughs in decades. Yet as the world moves rapidly toward an AI-driven future, a critical question remains: will AI narrow global divides, or widen them? Today, 2.2 billion people remain offline, and many more lack access to affordable devices, data or digital skills. This imbalance is already visible in AI adoption, with less than one percent of ChatGPT usage coming from low-income countries.

The Word Bank Group is enabling small AI, practical, affordable solutions that run on everyday devices, to solve specific, local development challenges where infrastructure and skills are limited. This includes reducing policy barriers, supporting the private sector to pilot and scale small AI in priority sectors, and strengthening the foundations needed for responsible AI adoption.

Across sectors, small AI is already delivering results. In agriculture, farmers can diagnose crop pests from photos taken on basic smartphones. In health, handheld devices support tuberculosis screening without requiring constant broadband connectivity. In education, lightweight AI tutors are helping students achieve learning gains comparable to an additional year of schooling. These solutions are designed for the environments where most people live, and where governments must deliver services at scale.

LEARN MORE: https://bit.ly/4yuJ0VI

10/20/2026

Global AI & Digital Summit ➡️ Join the conversation with public- and private sector leaders on how AI can strengthen development and create jobs, and on the role governments and innovators play in making this happen.

Explore how public- and private-sector leaders can use AI to advance development and create jobs.

10/19/2026

Last year, we surveyed firms in emerging markets backed by private equity and venture capital funds, which we refer to as frontier firms, and found that almost 40 percent were using artificial intelligence (AI). This year, the picture looks considerably different.

A survey of 1,666 frontier firms in emerging markets finds 71% now use AI, but many remain in experimentation or limited deployment.

10/19/2026

🌐 From practical AI and small business finance to mobilizing private investment, the IMF-WBG Annual Meetings in Bangkok explored solutions to create jobs, expand opportunity, and improve people’s lives. Catch up on the week’s highlights!

Global leaders discussed job creation, artificial intelligence, private investment, and the future of global development.

10/19/2026

Public and private resources are both needed together to meet countries’ evolving development needs. Watch Ajay at the ⁠
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👉🏼 FULL REPLAY: https://bit.ly/4k2uWiF
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10/19/2026

Global AI & Digital Summit ➡️ Join leaders, innovators, and practitioners as they explore how locally adapted AI solutions can create jobs, expand opportunity, and help shape a more inclusive digital future.

Leaders, innovators, and practitioners explore how locally adapted AI solutions can create jobs, expand opportunity, and shape the digital future.

10/19/2026

🌐 From practical AI and small business finance to mobilizing private investment, the IMF-WBG Annual Meetings in Bangkok explored solutions to create jobs, expand opportunity, and improve people’s lives. Catch up on the week’s highlights!

➤ Building the Future of Development. With 1.2 billion young people set to enter the workforce over the next 10 to 15 years, the challenge is clear: create more and better jobs at scale. In his Annual Meetings Plenary address, World Bank Group President Ajay Banga shares how a new model bringing together public finance, private investment, philanthropy, and technology can help countries turn opportunity into jobs. Watch the replay: https://bit.ly/4xWVXYa

➤ Making AI Work for More People. Practical, affordable AI can improve essential services and solve everyday problems, especially when paired with the connectivity, skills and infrastructure people need. Watch the replay: https://bit.ly/3Ttltq3

➤ A New Strategy for Small Businesses. The World Bank Group launched a new strategy using data and digitalization to help MSMEs access finance, reach new markets, create jobs, and grow. Watch the replay: https://bit.ly/4rLurvp

➤ Mobilizing More Private Investment. The World Bank Group mobilized a record $112 billion in private capital and $25 billion in guarantees in FY26, while outlining ways to bring more investment to emerging markets. Watch the replay: https://bit.ly/3U2uJ4v

10/18/2026

This is what has been happening over the past few days at the ! From October 12–18, the World Bank Group gathered global leaders, civil society, private sector & academia in Bangkok🇹🇭 to discuss the challenges facing global development. ⁠⁠

WATCH THE REPLAYS: https://bit.ly/4yQgiQ3
➤ Mobilizing Private Capital: Explore how public and private partners can unlock more investment for jobs, infrastructure, and sustainable growth.
➤ AI and Development: Learn how countries can use artificial intelligence to expand opportunity while managing risks and building capacity.
➤ Civil Society Town Hall: Join World Bank Group President Ajay Banga for a conversation with civil society leaders on development priorities, including questions from participants in the room and online.
➤ IMF–World Bank Group Leadership Perspectives: Hear from the World Bank Group President and the IMF Managing Director on the priorities shaping global development.

10/18/2026

Ajay on the twin challenges the World Bank Group is rising to meet—stretching scarce resources further while helping countries create opportunity at scale. Watch the full replay of his remarks at the : https://bit.ly/4xWVXYa